Match-box.



No. 67|,656. Patented Apr. 9, 190|.

W. A. PATTEN.

MATCH BOX.

(Application led NDV. l2. 1900*) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

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No. 67|,656. Y Patented Apr. 9, |9ol. W. A. PATTEN.

MATCH BOX.

(Application med Nov. 12. woo.)

' 2 sheets-sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. PATTEN, or LESUER, MINNESOTA.

MATCH-soie SPECIFICATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 671,656, dated April 9, 190i. Application filed November l2, 1900. Serial No. 36,173. (No model.)

To all whom, t mo/,y concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. PATTEN, a

`Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,

clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to match-boxes, and has for its object to provide certain improvements therein,whereby the samebox is adapted for use both as a shipping-box and as a holder, with an individual delivery for the matches. 1

To this end my invention consists of the novel devices or features of constructionhereinafter described, and defined in the claims.

My improved box is illustrated in the` accompanying drawings, wherein like notations refer to like parts throughout the `several views.

In said drawings, Figure l is a plan view of the box with a portion of the cover broken away, showing the parts as they would appear when using the box in the ordinary Way for shipping purposes.` Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same parts in side elevation and partial vertical section. Fig. 3 is an end elevation looking at what becomes the lower end of the box when the same is suspended for use as a holder. the opposite or upperend of the box. Fig. 5 is aview in front elevation, showing the box as it would appeanwhen suspended on the wall for use as a holder. Fig. 6 shows the box in the same position in vertical longitudinal section, and Fig. 7 is a plan view illustrating the blank from which the tray shown in the other views can conveniently be formed.

The cover or shell a. is open at both ends and is of the same identical form as that commonly used for matches. The tray b differs from the ordinary form, although capable of the ordinary use. To adapt the tray for cooperation with the cover a, to afford a holder with individual `match-delivery, I modify the construction as will now be noted.

One of the end walls of the tray is provided with one or more match-retaining fingers or iiaps b, which are adapted either to under- Fig. 4 is a similar view of `and to overreach the face of the box-cover when the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The side walls of the tray b, adjacent to the spring-fingers b', are extended to afford guard-flaps b2, which cooperate with the fingers b', when lthe parts are in the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6, to prevent endwise displacement of the matches. The springfingers b' are laterally spaced apart from each other to afford access to the matches when the box is in use as a suspended holder. At its opposite or upper end the tray b is provided With some suitable suspending device, which may conveniently be a flap b3, cut eut tray, as shown.

a holder from a nail b5 or other overhead support. It is preferable to employ two suspending-holes and suspend the holder from two nails, so as to keep the holder from pivotal motion when withdrawing the matches. All the parts of the box are preferably made from paper-board, just as the ordinary box. Slight additional stock is requiredm for the spring fingers or iiaps b'. No additional stock whatever is required for use at the opposite end of the tray. The suspending-[lap b3 is simply stamped out from the ordinary end wall-piece of the blank. The parts which are to form the spring-fingers or retaining-sec tions b should be sosized as to insure sufficient spring action to permit the same to occupy the relative positions required when the box is in use either for the shipping purposes or as a holder.

When the box is suspended for use as a holder, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, it is obvious that the matches will be upheld by the be readily removed one or'a few at a time by IOO either tounderlie or overreach the facev of the,

raising the s ame upward along the inner surfaces of the spring-{ingers b. The guards b2 extending from the side Walls of the tray prevent the matches from falling out 0r being moved out endwise Without'violence to th guards. In handling the box to convert the same from the shipping use to its use as a holder the tray is simply shoved out of the cover until the lingers b are free from the cover, and is then again pushed or pulled in-` ward to bring the fingers over the face of the cover. v The b oX isthen suspended by springing out and applying the suspending-nap b3 at the upper end of the tray, and the holder is ready'for use.

From the foregoing it is obvious that by er;`

tremely-slight changes, adding little, if any7 thing,v to the expense, the shipping-box be' comes itself capable of use as a holder with v either to underlie or overreachthe face of the` an individual delivery of thematches. n n

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows :r

l. In a match-box, the combination with an open -ended cover, of a-tray havinga match-k retainingnger or flap at oneend, 4adapted cover,lwhereby the same box is adapted for use either as a shipping-box or "asa holder,

substantially as described.

, 2. In a match-box, the combination withan open-ended cover, of a tray having a matchretaining finger or flap atone'end, adapted ing the box, substantially as andfor therpur- Lposes set forth.

Y 4. In a'match-box, the combination with an i open-ended cover, of a tray` having one of its en d'w'alls separatedfrom its sidesfand made up of-flaterally-spaced spring sections or n- .gers-0f greater length than the depth of the tray adapted either lto underlie oroverreach the face of the cover, and having its adjacent side walls extended outward to a'ordv guard piecesor iiaps, for cooperation with said spring-fingers, whenthe box i's-inpposition to l,act asa holder with individual match-delivery, substantially as described. Y f

In testimony whereof Iaflx my signature in presence of two. witnesses. f

` WILLIAM A. PATT'EN.

`Viitnesses:` l,

Trios. HESSIAN, Y PHILIP J BRIARD.; 

